This work represents an analysis of the taxonomy, ecology, distribution and Zoogeographie affinities of the 87 species of snakes currently recorded from Ethiopia, including five which are here reported for the first time [Dromophis lineatus(Duméril & Bibron 1854),Grayia tholloniMocquard 1897,Philothamnus bequaerti(Schmidt 1923), P.hetero lepido tus(Günther 1863) andCausus maculatus(Hallowell 1842)]. Nine species (10.3% of the total) appear to be endemic[Rhinotyphlops erythraeus(Scortecci 1928),R. somalicusBoulenger 1895),Coluber somalicus(Boulenger 1896),Lamprophis abyssinicusMocquard 1906,L. erlangeri(Sternfeld 1908),Pseudoboodon boehmeiRasmussen & Largen 1992,P. gascaePeracca 1897,P. lemniscatus(Duméril & Bibron 1854) andBitis parvioculaBöhme 1977], but of these onlyP. lemniscatusis conspicuously montane, reaching an upper altitudinal limit at about 3300 m. Most Ethiopian snake taxa are found in the altitudinal range 500–1000 m and the ophidian fauna is dominated by savanna species (57.4% of the total) and deserticolous forms (24.2%); montane and forest species, apart from those categorised as endemic, are not well represented. No Ethiopian snake is at present known to be so rare or restricted in range that special provisions for its conservation appear to be justified.